WWA Efforts Recognized by the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation

This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s May, 2024 Newsletter edition.

WWA is proud to have been recognized as Affiliate of the Year by the state’s leading wildlife organization, the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation (WWF) for some of its work over the past few years.  In a ceremony on April 20th, WWA president Bruce Urben accepted an award from WWF for the work that WWA has done over its 40 years.  Thousands of acres of restored wetlands, hundreds of legislative efforts influenced on behalf of waterfowlers, and hundreds of NEXGEN waterfowlers brought into the waterfowling community.  What a nice bow on top of 40 years of work on behalf of state waterfowlers!

WWA President Bruce Urben accepted the award on behalf of WWA. Pictured left to right: WWF Executive Director Cody Kamrowski, WWF Waterfowl Chair Mark Kakatsch, WWA President Bruce Urben, WWF President Kevyn Quamme

Just as significantly, Brillion middle school science teachers Jessica and Ryan Peterson were awarded WWF’s “Conservation Teachers of the Year” for their work with WWA in recently developing a middle school science curriculum based on migratory and nesting habits of ducks.  The program has been validated against state science standards, and includes hands-on learning opportunities with building, maintaining, and learning from the establishment of a wood duck nesting box that has a Tactacam real-time camera peering in on the action!  Dozens of schools have expressed an interest in the program and taken the first step to implementing it in their classrooms.  The Petersons are reviewing ever-evolving ways to make that curriculum even more relevant and vibrant in those middles school classrooms.  We’re very proud of having these two working on the WWA team!

Ryan and Jessica Peterson accept the award for Conservation Teachers of the Year from WWF President Kevyn Quamme